Archival data on wild food plants used in Poland in 1948
2008

Wild Food Plants Used in Poland in 1948

Sample size: 95 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Łukasz Łuczaj

Primary Institution: High School of Humanities and Economics in Łódź

Hypothesis

What wild edible plants were used in Poland in 1948?

Conclusion

The study reveals that many wild edible plants were collected in Poland in 1948, particularly along the eastern border and in communities from the Soviet Union, contradicting previous reviews that suggested fewer plants were used in lowland Poland.

Supporting Evidence

  • Fruits were the most frequently collected part of plants.
  • Children and women were the primary collectors of wild plants.
  • Eighteen taxa had not been reported in recent reviews of edible plants in Poland.

Takeaway

In 1948, people in Poland collected a lot of wild plants to eat, especially fruits, and children were the main gatherers.

Methodology

A database was created from questionnaires filled out by correspondents of the Polish Folklore Society, identifying herbarium specimens.

Potential Biases

Potential bias from the limited number of questionnaires and the reliance on informants' memories.

Limitations

The study relied on historical data from 1948, which may not reflect current practices or knowledge.

Participant Demographics

Most correspondents were local residents, including teachers and farmers, who interviewed elderly community members.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.007

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1746-4269-4-4

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